April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Put those cellphones down Seattle; April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Join the National Safety Council and spread the message that distracted driving kills. Thousands of innocent motorists die each year because of distracted drivers that continue to use cellphones, text while driving, or engage in a number of activities that take their focus off of the road. Even using hands-free cellphones can be a distraction and should be avoided.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 9% of all drivers are talking on cell phones at any given moment during the day and 2 out of every 3 drivers admitted to talking on the cell phone while driving in the last month alone. Drivers who routinely use their cell phones while driving were more likely to be involved in crashes. In fact, drivers talking on handheld phones or hands-free cell phones were 4x as likely to be involved in a car accident and 21% of all accidents involve drivers who are using the cell phone.

Distracted Driving and Inattention Blindness

Drivers who talk on cell phones miss seeing up to 50% of their environment. This can be deadly for small children who are playing nearby, animals, and pedestrians. They may miss red lights, stop signs, and even other vehicles on the road. This phenomenon is known as inattention blindness and it can cause serious and catastrophic Seattle car accidents.

Distracted drivers account for many Seattle car accidents, but the police report may not always show that the driver was using his or her cell phone at the time of the accident. If you are injured in a Seattle car crash and you believe the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash, a Seattle personal injury attorney may be able to help you file a lawsuit against the negligent party. Cell phone records and forensic specialists may be utilized to help build a solid case against the party responsible for your accident—and your injuries.

Seattle Car Accident Injury Lawyers that Fight for You

At Phillips Law Firm, our Seattle car accident injury attorneys know that distracted driving is a major cause of automobile accidents in the State of Washington. If you or someone you love is injured in an accident in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, or throughout the State of Washington, our experienced Seattle injury lawyers can help. Call us at the Phillips Law Firm today for a free consultation and review of your case. Call us at 1-800-708-6000 today.